Cradle



May 17, 1960 T. M. MILLER ET 2,936,464

CRADLE Filed Aug. 28, 1957 INVENTORS 77 THOMAS M. MILLER CHARLES M.PARSONS ELBERTL. BERNERO BY 64/4144 z:

di -raw? United States Patent CRADLE Thomas M. Miller, Charles M.Parsons, and Elbert L.

Bernero, Memphis, Tenn., assignors, by mesne assignments, of one-thirdto said Miller, one-third to said Parsons, and one-third to said BerneroApplication August 28, 1957, Serial No. 680,695

7 Claims. (Cl. -109) This invention relates to a cradle and particularlyto a mechanically rocked cradle. One of the objects of the presentinvention is to provide a cradle of improved and efficient constructionwhich is quickly and easily converted from and to a mechanically rockedcradle, and to and from a stationary cradle. A further object is toprovide in such a cradle new and efficient means for rocking saidcradle.

A further object is to provide means whereby the amplitude of theswinging movement of the cradle may bevaried,

A further object is to provide means whereby a stationary cradle may beconverted to a mechanically rocked cradle.-

A further object'is toprovide a mechanically rocked c'radle comprising astand, mounting means removably supported by said stand, a bassinetremovably and rockably supported by said mounting means, a downwardlyfacingchannel member fixedly attached to the underside of said bassinet,driving means mounted onjsaid mounting means, said driving meansincluding a projection means extending between the flanges of saidchannel member and movable in a circular path to urge said bassinet in arocking movement.

. A further object is generally to improve the design and constructionof cradles- Referring first specifically to stand 11, best shown in Fig.3, the stand comprises a pair of rigid frames 17, 19 pivotally joined asat pivot points 20. Frame 17 comprises a pair of spaced side members 21,23 interconnected at the lower ends by a cross piece 25 and at the upperends by a rung 27. An additional rung 29 is provided intermediate theends of frame 17 and inter connects side members 21, 23 above the pivotpoints 20. Suitable rollers 31 are mounted from cross piece 25 anddepend therefrom.

Frame 19 is of the same construction as frame 17 and similarly includesside members 33, 35, cross piece 37, rung 39, additional rung 41, androllers 43.

A rod 45 extends between side members 21, 23 intermediate the ends offrame 17 and extends through apertures in side members 33, 35 wherebyproviding the means to pivotally connect the frames 17 and 19.Additionally, articulated braces 47, each having a stop 49, respectivelyare pivotally connected between side mem bers 21 and 33, and betweensidemembers 23 and 35 whereby the stand is adapted to be collapsed in aconventional manner in order to be moved or to be stored.

Referring next to the mounting and driving means assembly 13 best shownin Fig. 5, the :mounting'and driving means assembly comprises a mountingmeans 51 i and a driving means 53. Mounting means 51 comprises of thepresent invention are accomplished and the manner Fig. 1 is a sideelevational view of the cradle on a reduced scale in assembleddisposition with parts broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as the line 11-11 of Fig. 1and showing the bassinet in a canted disposition.

Fig; 3 is a perspective view of the stand,

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the cradle means.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the mounting and driving meansassembly. i

Figs. 6 through 10 are on a further enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is afragmentary plan view of a portion of the driving means of the presentinvention. Fig; .7 is a fragmentaryside elevational view device of Fig.6. I i I i Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a modificationofthe 'drivinglmeansf Fig'. 19 is a fragmentary .fsidef device ofFig. 8.

Fi .10 is a sectional manta-a ...at... x x 65 d i board 55 and shaft 75extends upwardly through an aper i I I Referring now to the -drawings'in which the various by the mounting and driving means-assembly of theelevational view of the" an elongated board and a pairof spaced anglemembers 57 mounted, as by bolts or the like, on the under side of board55 and disposed perpendicular thereto. Each of angle members 57 includesa horizontal flange 59 and a vertical flange 61 depending from one ofthe. side edges of horizontal flange 59. Angle members 57 are preferablymounted so that they are inwardly facing towards one anotherthat is,disposed so that horizontal flanges 59 extend from vertical flanges 61towards one another. Angle members 57 preferably project in oppositedirections beyond the side edges of board 55. Additionally, the anglemembers 57 are spaced apart substantially the distance between rungs 29and 41 whereby mounting means 51 is adapted to removably rest on stand11 with angle members 57 disposed over rungs 29 and 41 in the mannerbest shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The width of angle members 57 is such thatin the assembled disposition the greater portionof rungs 29 and 41 willbe covered by angle members 57to prevent the mount-. ing means 51 fromtilting. Mounting means 51 additionally comprises a pair of spacedsubstantially L-shaped support arms 63 mounted. adjacent the outer endsof board 55 on the upper side thereof. Each of support arms 63 comprisesa horizontal portion 65 in which are provided apertures through whichextend securing means 67 to secure the support arms to the board.Additionally, each of the supportarms, 63 comprises a diverging portion69 extending angularly upwardly from the outer end of horizontal portion65.

Portions 69 preferably diverge upwardly as best shown turein the board,projecting above the top side jthereQf.'

Arm 77 isformed to provide an elongated. slot 79 therethrough extendingalong a substantial portion thereof inwhich. slot ismounted aprojectionmeans'sl that: tends upwardly from the arm. Figs. 6-, 7,, andl'fll'illuri-t trate the preferred embodiment of pi'ojectiorl' means 81wherein, it will be observed that a roller 83 is rotatably mounted on asleeve 85 having a bolt and nut means 87 extending therethrough andclampingly holding the sleeve in a fixed position on arm 77. Suitablemeans is provided for holding roller 83 on sleeve 85. Thus, a circularridge 88 is provided on sleeve 85 which rides in an annular groove inroller 83. I

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified embodiment of projection means 81wherein it will be observed that the projection means is similar inconstruction to that of Figs. 6, 7, and 10 except that a square block 89is rotatably mounted on sleeve 85 instead of a roller 83.

Cradle means comprises a cradle per se or bassinet 91 and an elongatedchannel member 93 secured thereto on the underside thereof. Channelmember 93 extends longitudinally of bassinet 91 and includes a web 95and spaced flanges 97 projecting from the opposite side edges of theweb; Channel member 93 is downwardly facingrotate on sleeve 85 but willnot rotate relative to channel member 93.

Projection means 81 is adjustable along the length of arm 77 byloosening bolt and nut means 87 and sliding bly to a stationary cradle,it is only necessary to lift that is, spaced flanges 97 projectdownwardly away from the bottom side of bassinet 91. The means by whichchannel member 93 is secured to bassinet 91 preferably comprises anelongated strap 99 which extends longitudinally of the bassinet alongthe underside thereof with the opposite ends of the strap extendingupwardly along the opposite ends of the bassinet, as best shown in Figs.1 and 4. Strap 99 is secured to bassinet 91 by suitable means as, forexample, rivets or the like, and channel member 93 is secured to theunderside of strap 99 by similar means. Cradle means 15 additionallyincludes a pair of outwardly projecting stud-like members or hangers 101respectively mounted from opposite ends of bassinet 91 adjacent theopposite ends of strap 99.

a In assembled disposition with mounting and driving means assembly 13,cradle means 15 is rockably and removably supported therefrom as shownin Fig; 1 with hangers 101 respectively removably resting in cut-outportions 71 to provide the pivots for the cradle means and withprojection means 81 extending upwardly between flanges 97.

In the operation of the device, it will be understood that when motor 72is turned on, shaft 75 will rotate carrying with it arm 77 which carriesprojection means 81 in a circular path. It will further be understoodthat movement of projection means 81 in a circular path will causerocking movement of bassinet 91 since the projection means contactsflanges 97 and causes channel member 93 to 'follow the path of movementof the projection means. Thus, when arm 77 is in a positionperpendicular to the major length of board 55, bassinet 91 will be in a"position of greatest amplitude in its rocking movement. Such a positionis'shown in Fig. 2 wherein it will be seen the arm 77 is to the right asviewed in this figure. Also, when arm 77 is to the left, as viewed inFig. 2, bassinet 91 will be in aposition of greatest amplitude butcanted in the" opposite direction. Also, it will be understood that whenarm 77 is in a position along the longitudinal center line of board55-that is to say, a position towards the bottom of the figure, asviewed in Fig. 5, or towards the top of the figure, as viewed in thisfigure-bassinet 91 will be in a position of zero amplitude. Thus, fromthe foregoing description it will be apparent that as projection means81 slowly follows its circular path the bassinet 91 will be slowlyrocked from one side to the other. The

outside diameter of roller-83 is preferably slightly smaller than: the'width between the inner faces of flanges 97 wherebythe canting ofchannel member 93 and bassinet 91'..re1ative toroller 83 is permitted.Or, if desired, roller 83 may be formed of a resilient material asrubber or: the like to permit such acanting movement. When the form ofprojection means 81 shown in Figs. 8 and.

9 is used, the width of block-89 is preferably slightly less thewidthbetween the inner faces of 'fla nges 97 wherebyto permit the abovementioned canting of the bassinet. It will be understood that when thisparticular.

of the projection means is used, block 89 will cradle means 15 frommounting and driving means assembly 13, remove the mounting and drivingmeans assembly, and replace the cradle means on to stand 11 so thatbassinet 91 rests directly on rungs 29 and 41. Thus, the device of thepresent invention may be quickly and easily assembled in a moments timeas a mechanically rocked cradle or as a stationary cradle without havingto undo any parts, bolts, or the like.

Additionally, the present invention provides means" whereby aconventional bassinet and stand may be easily converted into amechanically rocked cradle. For example, a stand similarto'that in Fig.3 may be purchased along with a conventional bassinet, similar tobassinet 91, then the user may secure the channel member 93 and hangers101 to the bassinet in accordance with the present invention. Havingdone this, the user need simply employ the mounting and driving meansassembly 13 of the present invention with the modified parts that he haspurchased and he has. an efficient mechanically rocked cradle;

We claim: e

1. A mechanically rocked cradlecomprising a stand including a pairof'spaced and horizontally disposed;

rungs; mounting means including an elongated board, a

formed to provide cut-out portions therein, said board being formed toprovide an aperture therethrough intermediate the ends thereof; a motormeans mounted 'on the underside of said board adjacent said aperture,said motor means including a vertically disposed driven shaft extendingupwardly through said aperture, a horizontally disposed arm attachedadjacent oneend to the upper end of said shaft, said arm being formed toprovide an" elongated slot therethrough, upstanding projection meansmounted on said arm through said slot, rotation of said shaft beingeflfective to carry said projection meansin a circular path, saidprojection means being adjustable along the lengthof said slot to varythe distance-ofsaid projection means from said shaft whereby thediameter of said circular path is variable; a bassinet, a pair ofoutwardly projecting hangers respectively mounted from opposite ends ofsaid bassinet, a channel memberin; cluding a web and spaced flangesdepending-from. the opposite side edges of the web, said channel memberbeing mounted on the underside of said bassinet withthe web of saidchannel member being adjacent. to the urn derside of said bassinet and,said flanges extending away from said bassinet, the spacing between'saidflanges being sufiicient to receive said projection means and to allowcanting ofthesaid channel member relative to said projection means; saidhangers respectively removably rest ing in said cut-out portions toremovably and rockably support saidbassinet from said mounting means,said rock said bassinet and adjustmentofsaid-projection;

means in said slot is effective to vary the amplitude of the rockingmovement, said mounting means being unattached to said bassinet and saidstand, and said angle members being respectively engaged on saidrungs'to removably support said mountng means with said bassinet fromsaid stand whereby a demountable mechanically rocked cradle is provided.

2. A mechanically rocked cradle comprising mounting means includinga'pair of spaced and upwardlyextending support arms, the upper ends ofsaid support arms being formed to provide cut-out portions therein, amotor means mounted on the underside of said mounting means, said motormeans including a vertically disposed driven shaft, a horizontallydisposed arm attached adjacent one end to the upper end of said shaft,said aim being formed to provide an elongated slot therethrough,upstanding projection means mounted on said arm through said slot,rotation of said shaft being effective to carry said projection means ina circular path,

'said projection means being adjustable along the length of said slot tovary the distance of said projection means from said shaft whereby thediameter of said circular path is variable; a bassinet, a pair ofoutwardly projecting hangers respectively mounted from oppositeends ofsaid bassinet, a channel member including a web and spaced flangesdepending from the opposite side edges of the Web, said channel memberbeing mounted on the underside of said bassinet with the web of saidchannel member being adjacent to the underside of said bassinet and saidflanges extending away from said bassinet, the spacing'between saidflanges being sufficient to receive said projection means and to allowcanting of said channel member relative to said projection means; saidhangers respectively removably resting in said cut-out portions toremovably and rockably support said bassinet from said mounting means,said projection means removably extending upwardly between said flangeswhereby rotation of said shaft is effective to rock said bassinet andadjustment of said projection means in said slot is effective to varythe amplitude of the rocking movement; a stand, said mounting meansbeing unattached to said bassinet and said stand, and said mountingmeans resting on said stand to removably support said mounting meanswith said bassinet from said stand whereby a demountable mechanicallyrocked cradle is provided.

3. A mechanically rocked cradle comprising mounting means including apair of spaced and upwardly extending support arms, the upper ends ofsaid support arms being formed to provide cut-out portions therein, amotor means mounted on the underside of said mounting means, said motormeans including a vertically disposed driven shaft, a horizontallydisposed arm attached adjacent one end to the upper end of said shaft,upstanding projection means mounted on said arm, rotation of said shaftbeing effective to carry said projection means in a circular path; abassinet, a pair of outwardly projecting hangers respectively mountedfrom opposite ends of said bassinet, a channel member including a weband spaced flanges depending from the opposite side edges of the web,said channel member being mounted on the underside of said bassinet withthe web of said channel member being adjacent to the underside of saidbassinet and said flanges extending away from said bassinet, the spacingbetween said flanges being suflicient to receive said projection meansand to allow canting of said channel member relative to said projectionmeans; said hangers respectively removably resting in said cut-outportions to removably and rockably support said bassinet from saidmounting means, said projection means removably extending upwardlybetween said flanges whereby rotation of said shaft is effective to rocksaid bassinet; a stand, said mounting means being unattached to saidbassinet and said stand, and said mounting means resting on said standto removably support said mounting assembly with said bassinet fom saidstand whereby a demountable mechanically rocked cradle is provided.

4. A'mechanically rocked cradle comprising a stand, .a mounting meansand a driving means attached to said mounting means to provide amounting and driving .means assembly, said mounting and driving meansassembly being removably supported by said stand; said mounting anddriving means assembly including a-hon i'zontally disposed arm, said armbeing formed to provide an elongated slot therethrough extending along aportion of the length thereof, an upstanding projection. means mountedin said slot and extending upwardly from said arm, said projection-meansincluding a'sleeve and' a resilient roller rotatably mounted on; saidsleeve, and-a vertically disposed rotatably driven shaft, said arm beingfixedly attached adjacent one end thereof to said shaft whereby rotationof said shaft is effective to carry said roller in a circular path; abassinet removably and rockably supported by said mounting and drivingmeans assembly with a major part of said mounting means extendingbeneath said bassinet, a channel member including a web and spacedflanges depending from the opposite side edges of the web, said channelmember being mounted on the underside of said bassinet with the web ofsaid channel member being adjacent to the underside of said bassinet andwith said flanges extending away from said bassinet, said rollerextending upwardly between said flanges whereby rotation of said shaftis effective to rock said bassinet, said projection means beingadjustably movable in said slot along the length of said arm to vary thedistance of said roller from said shaft whereby the diameter of saidcircular path is variable which is effective to vary the amplitude ofthe rocking movement of said cradle.

5. A mechanically rocked cradle comprising a stand, a mounting means anda driving means attached to said mounting means to provide a mountingand driving means assembly, said mounting and driving means assemblybeing removably supported by said stand; said mounting and driving meansassembly including a horizontally disposed arm, said arm being formed toprovide an elongated slot therethrough extending along a portion of thelength thereof, an upstanding projection means mounted in said slot andextending upwardly from said arm, said projection means including asleeve and a resilient block rotatably mounted from said sleeve, and avertically disposed rotatably driven shaft, said arm being fixedlyattached adjacent one end thereof to said shaft whereby rotation of saidshaft is eifective to carry said projection means in a circular path; abassinet removably and rockably supported by said mounting and drivingmeans assembly with a major part of said mounting means extendingbeneath said bassinet, a channel member including a web and spacedflanges depending from the opposite side edges of the web, said channelmember being mounted on the underside of said bassinet with the web ofsaid channel member being adjacent to the underside of said bassinet andwith said flanges extending away from said bassinet, said blockextending upwardly between said flanges whereby rotation of said shaftis effective to rock said bassinet.

6. A .cradle comprising a stand including a pair of spaced andhorizontally disposed rungs, a bassinet having hanger means mountedthereon and having a downwardly facing channel member mounted on theunderside thereof, said channel member including a pair of spacedflanges, said bassinet being of a length to rest on said rungs; amounting and driving means assembly including a rotatably driven arm anda projection means mounted thereon adapted for engagement between theflanges of said channel member for rocking drive of the cradle, saidassembly additionally including a pair of assume support arms havingupwardly openingv cut-out portions therein adapted to removably receivesaid hangers and including a pair of spaced angle members adapted torest on said rungs, said mounting and driving means assembly beingunattached to, said bassinet and said stand; and being disposedsubstantially between said bassinet and said stand with said anglemembers resting on saidtrungs and said hangers resting in said cut-outportions whereby said mounting and driving means being quickly andeasily separable from said bassinet and said stand for permittingsaidbassinet to rest directly on said rungs to provide a stationary cradle.

7. The structure in accordance with claim 6 in which said projectionvmeans comprises a sleeve and a resilient roller rotatably mounted onsaid sleeve.

References Cited in-xthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSFOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain

